George Onakkoor

George Onakkoor (born 16 November 1941, Travancore) is an Indian novelist who writes in Malayalam language. He was a Malayalam professor for over three decades at Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum, Kerala.

Dr. George Onakkoor
Born16 November 1941
Moovattupuzha, Ernakulam Dist.Kerala
Pen nameOnakkoor
OccupationNovelist, short story writer
LanguageMalayalam, English
NationalityIndian
GenreNovel, short story
SubjectSocial aspects
Notable awardsKerala Sahitya Academy Award, K.M. George Sapthathi Award,The Film Critics Award,Jawaharlal Nehru Award,Kesava Dev Centenary Memorial Award, Thakazhi Sahithya Award, C. Achutha Menon Award, Mother Theresa Award, KCBC Award, Kerala Shree Award, SBT Suvarna Mudra etc.
SpouseValsa George

Onakkoor is well acknowledged in various capacities as novelist, short-storywriter, critic, script and travel writer. He was the former Director of Kerala State Institute of Children's Literature, State Institute of Encyclopaedic Publications and Kerala State Literacy Council. He also served as the first Non-official Chairman of the State Resource Centre.

The awards he received include The Jawaharlal Nehru Award for his excellent service as Chief Editor of the Children's Encyclopaedia; the award for the best research thesis submitted in Indian Universities in the field of Art and Literature, the Kesava Dev Centenary Memorial Award, Thakazhi Sahithya Award, C. Achutha Menon Award, Mother Theresa Award, KCBC Award, Kerala Shree Award, Kesava Dev Award etc. He is also the recipient of the prestigious SBT 'Suvarna Mudra'. He has been honoured by the Government of Kerala for his contributions to Language and Literature. The Award for the outstanding Indian writer given by the Euro-American Expatriate Literary Association was yet another laurels he received. The Kerala Sahithya Academy Award has been conferred on Dr. George Onakkoor twice for his novel (Illam in 1980) and travelogue (Adarunna Akaasham in 2005).

Some of his writings are: Akale Akasham, Uzhavuchalukal, Ulkkadal, Illam, Kalthamara, Kamana, Ezhuthapurangal, Samathalangalkkappuram, Hridayathiloru Vaal, Parvathangalile Kaattu, Pranaya Thazhavarayile Devadaru, Yordan Ozhukunnathu Evidekku (Novels), Orchid, Kamana, The Sword in the Soul, The Wind in the Mountains, The Sea Within (Translations of his five novels), Ivar Enikku Arayirunnu? (Memoirs)etc.

Personal details
  • Father:Late Naduviledathu Kuriakose[1]
  • Mother: Late Mariamma
  • Spouse: Valsa George
  • Children: Darsana George, Adarsh Rio George, Anaswara Chintu George
  • Grand Children: Avinash Sudheer, Amrit Geo Adarsh, Alok Geo Amith, Allene Mary Amith, Ankit Tom Adarsh and Adit Geo Amith.

Education

B.A. in Economics, University of Kerala, 1962 (Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha)

M.A. in Malayalam Language & Literature, University of Kerala, 1964 (St.Berchman's College, Chenganachery)

M.Phil. in Malayalam, University of Kerala, 1978 (Kerala University Centre)

Ph.D. from University of Kerala, 1983

Subject: ‘The Concept of Hero in Malayalam Novel’

Student career

Chairman, Literary Association, Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha : 1961 & 1962 Magazine Editor, St. Berchmans College, Changanacherry : 1963 Arts Club Secretary, St. Berchmans College, Changanacherry : 1964 First Prize, Inter-Collegiate Debating Competition for Godavarma Trophy : 1963 First Prize, Inter-Collegiate Debating Competitions for Sree Narayana Trophy : 1963 & 1964

Publications, Literary

Literary Critic and Novelist. Author of Fifty Two books.

  1. Akale Akasam (Novel) - 1972
  2. Oolkadal (Novel) - 1975
  3. The Sea Within (English Translation) - 2013
  4. Kalthamara (Novel) - 1977
  5. Orchid (English Translation) - 1978
  6. Ezhuthappurangal (Novel) - 1978
  7. Illam (Novel) - 1979
  8. Kamana (Novel) - 1981
  9. Kamana (English Edition) - 1981
  10. Uzhavuchalukal (Novel) - 1985
  11. Nalu Poochakkuttikal (Stories) - 1985
  12. Njan Kathirikkunnu (Novel) - 1986
  13. Njan Oru Kaioppu Matram (Stories) - 1988
  14. Rachanayude Rahasyam (Children’s Literature) - 1989
  15. Thapovanathile Sooryan (Children’s Literature) - 1989
  16. The Sun of the Hermitage (English Translation) - 2003
  17. Olivumarangalude Nattil (Travelogue) - 1989
  18. Marubhumiyude Hridayam Thedi (Travelogue) - 1990
  19. Maria Goretti (Children’s Literature) - 1991
  20. Mahatma Gandhi (Biography) - 1994
  21. M. P. Paul, Kalapathinte Thiruseshippukal (Biography) - 1994
  22. Nadu Neengunna Neram (Stories) - 1995
  23. Samathalangalkkappuram (Novel) - 1996
  24. Arshajnanathinte Pravachakan (Biography) - 1999
  25. The Prophet of Ascetic Wisdom (English Translation) - 2003
  26. Puthiya Sahasrabdham : Samasyakal (Study) - 2002
  27. Adarunna Akasam (Travelogue) - 2003
  28. Samaya Soochikal Nischalam (Stories) - 2005
  29. Hrudayathil Oru Wal (Novel) - 2005
  30. The Sword in the Soul (English Translation) - 2007
  31. Rachanayude Nervazhi (Children’s Literature) - 2006
  32. Kuttikalude Sampoorna Bible (Children’s Literature) - 2007
  33. Parvathangalile Kaattu (Novel) - 2007
  34. The Wind in the Mountains (English Translation) - 2008
  35. Ente Sanchara Kathakal (Stories) - 2009
  36. Pranaya Kathakal (Stories) - 2009
  37. Manalkkattinte Sabdam (Biography) - 2010
  38. Ivar Enikku Aaraayirunnu (Memories) - 2010
  39. Kathakal - Onakkoor (Collection of Stories) - 2010
  40. Pranaya Thazhvarayile Devadaru (Novel) - 2012
  41. Yordan Ozhukunnathu Evidekku (Novel) - 2013
  42. Akasathinte – Adarukal (Travelogue) - 2014
  43. Akasa Oonjal (Novel) - 2016
  44. Pranayathinte Kanal Vazhikal (Stories) - 2018
  45. Hrudaya Rangangal (Autobiography) - 2018
  46. Bhoomiyude Spandanam (Novel) - 2020

Publications, Academic
  1. Kerala Bhasha Ganga (Literary Criticism) - 1963
  2. Yuga Prathibha (Literary Criticism) - 1963
  3. Sahitya Sameepanam (Literary Criticism) - 1968
  4. Ithihasa Pushpangal (Literary Criticism) - 1969
  5. Nayakasankalpam Malayala Novelil (Thesis) - 1986
  6. Kalathinte Thiricharivukal (Essays) - 2011

Cinema

•Contributed, Story, Screenplay and Dialogue for nine feature films in Malayalam:

  1. Aradhana
  2. Ente Neelakasam
  3. Leyam
  4. Katha Parayum Kayal
  5. Johny
  6. Kaithappoo
  7. Oolkatal
  8. Kilikonchal
  9. Yamanam

• Contributed Script for Twelve Documentary films.

• The Film Oolkatal won number of Awards in 1979.

• The Film Yamanam won the Indira Gandhi Award for the best thematic content.

Radio and Television
  • Has given a number of talks through All India Radio.
  • Participated as an actor in the Radio plays broadcast from All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram.
  • Conducted Literary Quiz and cultural discussions on Doordarshan, Asianet, Surya TV, Kairali TV, Jeevan TV, Amrita TV, Jaihind TV etc.
  • Contributed script for the Doordarshan TV serial, ‘Illam’ and ‘Kalthamara’

Awards
  1. The novel ‘Illam’ won the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award in 1980 for the Best Novel written during the period from 1977 to 1979.
  2. The novel ‘Kamana’ won the Mar Ivanios Cultural Award in 1984.
  3. The Ph.D. thesis ‘Nayakasankalpam Malayala Novelil’ won the first K.M. George Sapthathi Award for the best thesis produced in Indian Universities on Language, Literature and Culture during the period from 1980 to 1985.
  4. The Film Critics Award for the Best Story Writer in 1991, for the film ‘Yamanam’ based on the novel ‘Kamana’. The film ‘Yamanam’ won the National Award for the Best Social Theme in 1992.
  5. Honoured with Jawaharlal Nehru Award, instituted by the Mathrubhumi Study Circle, for the outstanding contributions to Children’s Literature in 1993.
  6. ‘Akale Akasam’ and ‘Illam’ were prescribed as textbooks for the Degree Course of the University of Kerala.
  7. ‘Orchid’—the translation of the novel ‘Kalthamara’—was prescribed as a textbook in the Clerk Atlanta University, Georgia, U.S.A.
  8. ‘M. P. Paul: Kalapathinte Thiruseshippukal’ won the Sahodaran Ayyappan Award for the best Biography in 1996.
  9. The biography ‘Arshajnanathinte Pravachakan’ won the Delhi Malankara Association Bi-Decennial Literary Award in 1999.
  10. Darsana Award for the outstanding contribution to the field of culture in 2000.
  11. Milan Award (Michigan Malayalee Literary Association of North America Award) for the unique contribution to Art, Literature and Culture in 2002.
  12. Kesava Dev Birth Centenary Award for the total contribution to the Malayalam Novel in 2003.
  13. The travelogue “Adarunna Akasam” won the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award in 2005.
  14. First Euro-American Pravasi Award for the outstanding Indian Writer in 2005.
  15. ‘STATE HONOUR’ by the Govt. of Kerala for the Distinguished Contribution to Language & Literature (2005).
  16. The Novel ‘Hrudayathil Oru Wal’ won the K.C.B.C. Award, the prestigious Thakazhi Award and Kerala Sree Award(2006).
  17. ‘Sukrutham’ Award for literature (2008)
  18. The Novel ‘Parvathangalile Kaattu’ won the Mother Theresa Award (2008) and P. Kesava Dev Award (2009).
  19. C. Achutha Menon Award for the total contribution to culture (2010).
  20. Gandhi Darshan Award for Literature (2011)
  21. SBT ‘Suvarna Mudra’ for the total contribution to language, literature & culture.
  22. Honoured by the Indian Media Forum (IMF), Dubai on the 50th Year of Creative Writing.
  23. Honoured by Thiruvananthapuram Public Library on the 50th Year of Creative Writing in 2013
  24. Honoured by Dubai Art and Literary Association in 2013.
  25. Goodness Excellence Award for the total contribution to Literature in 2014.
  26. ‘Champaran Thozhilali Prakshobha Smaraka’ Puraskaram (2016)
  27. ‘Akshayasree’ Award for literature (2017)
  28. ‘G.Gopinathan Nair Smruthi Puraskaram for literature (2017)
  29. Ettumanoor Somadasan Award for literature (2017)
  30. Kerala Sahrudaya Vedi Award (2019)
  31. Kaduvayil Thangal Cultrual Trust Award (2019)

Editing and Publishing Experience
  1. Editor-in-Chief and Director of the Publications of the State Institute of Children’s Literature including the ‘Bala Kairali Vijnanakosam’ (Children’s illustrated multicolour Encyclopaedia in 7 vols.) and ‘Akshara Kairali’ series.
  2. Editor-in-Chief and Director of ‘Sarva Vijnana Kosam’ (General Encyclopaedia in 20 vols.) & ‘Viswa Sahitya Vijnanakosam’ (Encyclopaedia of World Literature in 10 vols.)
  3. Editor-in-Chief of Fifty Supplementary Readers for Neo-Literates.
  4. Edited the book ‘Ayyappa Panicker: Vyakthiyum Kaviyum’.
  5. Edited the book ‘The Speeches of C. H. Mohammed Koya in the Kerala Legislative Assembly’.
  6. Edited the book ‘The Speeches of Joseph Mundasseri in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.’
  7. Sub-Editor of ‘Deepika’ Malayalam Daily - 2 months
  8. Honorary Editor of ‘Grandhalokam,’
  9. Organ of the Kerala Grandhasala Sanghom - 3 years
  10. Member of the Editorial Board of the ‘Sahityalokam’
  11. Organ of the Kerala Sahitya Academy - 8 years
  12. Chief Editor of the ‘S.I.C.L. News’ - 4 years
  13. Chief Editor, NBS Bulletin - 5 years
  14. Hon. Editor, Kilippattu Magazine

Administrative Experience
  • Chairman, State Resource Centre, Kerala: 3 years
  • Director, The State Institute of Encyclopaedic Publications: 2 years
  • Director, The Kerala Saksharatha Samithi: 2 years
  • Director, The State Institute of Children’s Literature: 5 years
  • Head of the Department of Malayalam, Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram: 29 years
  • Member, Director Board & Executive Committee of SPCS (Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society), Kottayam: 3 years
  • Member, Managing Committee, Kerala Sahitya Academy: 2 years
  • Member, Managing Committee, ‘Thonnackal Asan Smarakam’:3 years
  • Chairman, SPCS Publication Committee: 5 years
  • President, Kerala Film Critics Association

Positions in Academic, Cultural Bodies
  1. Member of the Kerala Sahitya Academy General Council and Finance Committee from 1974 to 1977 and from 1981 to 1984 and member of the Managing Committee from 1984 to 1986.
  2. Member of the Kerala University Senate from 1984 to 1988 (Government nominee representing the authors).
  3. Member of the Board of Studies in Malayalam, Gandhiji University, Kottayam from 1984 to 1987.
  4. Member of the Board of Studies in Malayalam, University of Kerala from 1984 to 1990.
  5. Member of the Advisory Board of the Correspondence Course, University of Kerala from 1977 to 1981.
  6. Member of the Advisory Board, Department of Publications, University of Kerala from 1985 to 1988.
  7. Member of the Director Board and Executive Committee of the Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society from 1980 to 1983.
  8. Member of the Advisory Panel of the Regional Film Censor Board from 1984 to 1989 and from 2008 to 2012.
  9. Member of the ‘Thonnackal Asan Smarakam’ from 1985 to 1988.
  10. Member of the School Syllabus Reforms Committee in 1983.
  11. Member of the School Library Committee from 1983 to 1988.
  12. Member of the Thiruvananthapuram Public Library Committee from 1982 to 1986 and 2011 onwards.
  13. Member of the Media Committee, Kerala Saksharatha Samithi from 1991 to 1993.
  14. Former Member of Kerala State Pre-primary Education Advisory Board.
  15. Former Member of the Language Committee, Bharatiya Jnanapith Award.
  16. Former Chairman of the Publication Committee, Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society.
  17. Former Member of the Senate – CUSAT (Cochin University of Science & Technology) from 2007 onwards. (Nominated by the Chancellor of the University - Governor - State of Kerala, representing the authors).
  18. Former Member of the Raja Ram Mohun Roy Library Foundation of India.
  19. Member of the Judging Committee for State Award, Professional Dramas.
  20. Chairman of the State Award Committee for the Best Book on Cinema.
  21. Member of the National Executive of Encyclopaedia Makers.
  22. Member of the Language Advisory Committee of the Encyclopaedic Publications, Govt. of Kerala.
  23. Member of the Selection Committee for Sponsored Programmes, Doordarshan.
  24. Member of the Script Selection Committee of the National Film Development Corporation.
  25. Member of the Swadeshabhimani Memorial Trust.
  26. Member of the Ayappa Paniker Foundation.
  27. Member of the Programme Advisory Committee, Prasar Bharathi.
  28. Member of the Educational Core Commission, Govt. of Kerala.
  29. Member of the Official Language Commission, Govt. of Kerala.
  30. Member, Advisory Board of the Thunchathu Ezhuthachan Malayalam University.
  31. Expert member of the State School Curriculum.
  32. President of the C.V. Raman Pillai National Foundation.
  33. President of the P. Kesavadev Foundation.
  34. President of ‘Margi’, Centre of Classical Art Forms.
  35. President, Mahakavi Mulur Foundation.
  36. President, Kerala Film Critics Association.
  37. Patron, Institution of Librarians and Information Scientists.

Teaching Experience
  • Total 33 years of Teaching at College Level

Research Experience
  • Research Guide, University of Kerala from 1984 onwards. Ph.D Produced: 15

Other Activities
  1. Represented the Kerala University in the All India University Teachers Conference on National Integration held at Madurai in 1971.
  2. Presided over the All India Seminar on Children’s Literature held at Bangalore in 1989.
  3. Presented papers at the All India Seminar on Children’s Literature held at Thiruvananthapuram in 1984; New Delhi in 1989 and in 1990; Hyderabad in 1990 and Ahmedabad in 1991.
  4. Presented papers in Ulloor, Asan and Ezhuthachan Seminars organized by the Department of Malayalam, University of Kerala.
  5. Convenor of the All India University Teachers and Students Seminar held at Thiruvananthapuram in 1971.
  6. Convenor of the All India University Youth Festival held at Thiruvananthapuram in 1972.
  7. Director of the Literary workshops organized by the Kerala University Union four times.
  8. Director of the Literary Camp organized by the Kerala Sahitya Academy, at Thiruvananthapuram in 1981.
  9. Member of Cultural Delegation of the Kerala Sahitya Academy, visited the State of Gujarat in 1977.
  10. Member of the Committee to adjudge the First, Third and Fourth Prem Nazir Award; First Swadeshabhimani Award; Abudhabi Malayalee Samajam Award; Sahitya Academy Award, etc.
  11. Participated as Guest of Honour in the Fourth International Literary Convention organized by the Literary Association, North America at Toronto, Canada in 2002.
  12. Participated as Guest of Honour in the First Euro-American International Literary Conference held at Cologne, Germany in 2005.
  13. Participated as Guest of Honour in the Annual meeting of ‘Sruthi’, New Castle, U.K. in 2009.

International Travel

Visited United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Israel, Egypt, United States of America, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and U.A.E.

Ulkkadal

Novel by George Onakkoor (Synopsis)

Rahulan, the chief protagonist of the novel comes across as a romantic & poet. The novel unveils as he reaches the city from his village and joins college for his PG. The loner Rahulan becomes friends with Davis & Jayasahankar. As the friendship grows, Rahulan also gets close with Reena, Davis’s sister. Romance unfolds and it was only natural that Reena, the budding painter and Rahulan the poet were attracted to each other. But both brother – who had also found love in Susanna – and sister are wary about the profound presence of an orthodox father, James who will never approve his children finding soul mates outside their religion. Remember the Novel is set in 70s Kerala where religion and caste boundaries were sacrosanct.

The sudden twist in the story comes as fate becomes villain and Davis dies in a Motorbike accident leaving his sweetheart, Susanna astray. Rahulan gets a job as college lecturer and his heart still longs for Reena. James who could not bear the death of his only son turns a heart patient and Rahulan is forced to leave behind his unfulfilled love. Time moves on and we see Rahulan nursing his broken heart and living a life in despair.

Enter Meera, the student who falls in love with her lecturer. She uses her cunningness and outspoken nature to get him close and in very less time their romance becomes the talk of the town.

Destiny had something else in store; Rahulan meets Susanna again, but this time as Prof Paul’s daughter in law! Rahulan comes to know about Susanna’s brother’s wedding plans with none other than Reena.

Rahulan gets engaged to Meera. There is little he could do as he lets himself to be a puppet in fate’s hands. As he reaches home form his engagement he is surprised to see Reena who has come to him leaving behind her home. Rahulan is caught between his love for Reena and engagement to Meera. The Novel reaches climax as Meera’s father encounters Rahulan & Reena together, leaves the scene calling off the engagement. Rahulan wastes no time and welcomes Reena into his life.

Ulkkadal written by George Onakkoor was adapted into a movie with the same name and won accolades as the first ever movie in India fully based out of college campus. Ulkadal was the trend setter for a series of campus movies, a genre successfully explored by many film makers later in Indian cinema.

Prepared By Geetha Mary Jimmy

Poetry

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